My first planted tank!

[Cheesetian]

Well technically it isn't really "planted" considering i didn't plant anything, just a lot of tying. It took my more than 4 months to realize this set-up, from collecting the appropriate pieces of wood, getting the tank fabricated, buying the various equipment to NS getting in the way of it all. I've probably spent close to $1k or more on this tank. I experienced algae mid-way through and got lots of help from guys here on how to get rid of it so thank you guys!

The Corys were just bought from JZX yesterday. They immediately started searching for food and school together which is amazing. I've been using Seachem Flourish Excel and Borneowild Lush but after tomorrow i'll be switching to pressurized CO2. I intend to add at least 10 more Dwarf Corys in the near future. Once the SAEs get too big i'll give them away.



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Tank: 60x30x36cm brace-less acrylic tank

Filtration: Eheim 2217 w/ 2L of Eheim Mech & 3L of Seachem Matrix

Lighting: SoLite T5HO, 24W w/ 8 hour photo-period

Chiller: Arctica DBA-075 (1/10HP) set to 24.5 degrees celsius

Flora: Christmas & Weeping Moss

Fauna: 7x Corydoras Hastatus, 10x Corydoras Pygmaeus, 1x Corydoras Habrosus and 3x Siamese Algae Eaters

[hiisoka]

i love the simplicity of this setup

some humble ideas,
might be nice if you have some similar shaped driftwood (without any moss)
intertwining among the ones you already have
creates a sort of contrast to the ones with moss?

or

maybe have the rocks in some sort of "formation"
around the bottom of some of the driftwoods?


maybe add more habrosus?

[Jay91]

i wanted to set-up a new planted tank. but I'm not too sure how to go about doing it. any ideas, bro? =D

[yiongcs]

looks good! but 1k is a lot!

[alvinchan80]

looks good! but 1k is a lot!

Just the Arctica chiller brand new would have cost $700~$800+... Even a secondhand Arctica chiller of that model would be $500 approximately.. Hahaha...

[Cheesetian]

i love the simplicity of this setup

some humble ideas,
might be nice if you have some similar shaped driftwood (without any moss)
intertwining among the ones you already have
creates a sort of contrast to the ones with moss?

or

maybe have the rocks in some sort of "formation"
around the bottom of some of the driftwoods?


maybe add more habrosus?

I did think of that cos' i have 2 extra pieces of wood left that didn't seem to fit in but when i tried to put them in, i realized it was too cluttered. I'll give it a shot again when i have the time and if i succeed i'll post another video! Oh and yes, i intend to add at least 4 more Habrosus. I only have one cos' that was the last fella' in JZX so i decided to "rescue" him. Thanks!

i wanted to set-up a new planted tank. but I'm not too sure how to go about doing it. any ideas, bro? =D

Well from my experience the first is to read up as much as possible. Find out what kinda' set-up you want. Low-tech? High-tech? Google different aquascapes and find the types you like the most then work towards it. Read through the threads here on AQ!

looks good! but 1k is a lot!

Just the Arctica chiller brand new would have cost $700~$800+... Even a secondhand Arctica chiller of that model would be $500 approximately.. Hahaha...

I bought almost everything brand new hence the budget. I prefer to buy brand new cos' it gives me peace of mind. I'll list down all that i spent in my next post, stay tuned.

[Jay91]

Wow! thanks bro! been researching, wanted to set-up a Iwagumi tank. Looks kinda simple though. =) Is it advisable to do so?

[e[V]o|ut|on]

based on the specs, isnt it a little too overkill to be using a 2217 for a 60cm X 30cm X 36cm tank?

I am only using a 2215 for my 90cm X 45cm X 45cm tank.

[Cheesetian]

Wow! thanks bro! been researching, wanted to set-up a Iwagumi tank. Looks kinda simple though. =) Is it advisable to do so?

Well you could start off with a 1ft cube and work your way up. I was once advised by a fellow aquascaper to take my time with a planted aquarium. Never rush, slowly get everything you need then start at one go. For an Iwagumi the layout is everything. There is difficulty in simplicity, you will learn that when you start your tank. The best way to start is to copy other aquascapes and make your own changes.

based on the specs, isnt it a little too overkill to be using a 2217 for a 60cm X 30cm X 36cm tank?

I am only using a 2215 for my 90cm X 45cm X 45cm tank.

Actually no. The Eheim 2217 is rated at 1000L/H when empty. But after it's packed with media and filter pads, the flow rate drops, not to mention having to pump the water through a chiller then up about 3/4 of a metre back into my tank. It's actually just nice.

To be honest your 2215 is not good enough for a 3x1.5x1.5, especially if you have livestock in there. If it were plants alone perhaps it would still be okay.

[Cheesetian]

Here's my expenditure list. Some prices are estimated.

60x30x36cm custom-made 8mm acrylic brace-less tank w/ cover - $200

White Metal Stand - $100

Eheim 2217 - $180

2L Eheim Mech+3L Seachem Matrix - $79

2nd hand Arctica DBA-075 1/10HP - $350

SoLite T5HO 4x24W - $150

5L CO2 cylinder w/ UP solenoid - $90

German-made 3 socket programmable timer - $35

Gush lily pipes - $100

Borneowild Stainless Steel CO2 set-up+diffuser - $55

ADA Garden Mat - $24

ADA Clear Hose - $35

Borneowild Numauddo Malayan Driftwood - $110

Christmas & Weeping Moss from Tropica via Fishybusiness - $85

Livestock - $60

Grand total: $1593

[Cheesetian]

Full tank shot!

[josephogk]

Hey bro, your CO2 cylinder + regulator cost only $90? Where did your get it and what's the brand?

[AQMS]

Nice acrylic tank,where did you custom order it?
Mind sharing the contacts?

[Cheesetian]

Hey bro, your CO2 cylinder + regulator cost only $90? Where did your get it and what's the brand?

I bought the cylinder+solenoid regulator from a hobbyist here on AQ. Unfortunately the solenoid was faulty so i replaced it with a JBJ one from NA which is where the cylinder is from as well.

Nice acrylic tank,where did you custom order it?
Mind sharing the contacts?

Thanks! Acrylic clarity is unparalleled. I got it from Ian at i-Aquatics. They have their own website so just Google.

[AQMS]

ooh i see,thanks. I have been to the website.
Anyway what do mean by unparalleled?

[Cheesetian]

ooh i see,thanks. I have been to the website.
Anyway what do mean by unparalleled?

Unparalleled means no other material used to make fish tanks is clearer than acrylic, not even crystal glass.

[AQMS]

ooooh,thanks for the clarification.
I thought it was something negative.

cheers

[Shadow]

Thanks! Acrylic clarity is unparalleled. I got it from Ian at i-Aquatics. They have their own website so just Google.

But it scratch easily, low iron or crystal glass probably the next best thing in term of clarity

[AQMS]

That is what holding me back about acrylic tank,the scratches issue
but it is sure look good.

[Cheesetian]

But it scratch easily, low iron or crystal glass probably the next best thing in term of clarity

Actually not too bad. With a little bit of extra care it's worth the experience of such clarity. Acrylic is completely colorless while crystal glass still has some color.